Ratchet playpen cover for a pontoon boat

Abstract

A playpen cover for a pontoon boat includes a cover panel sized to cover a pontoon boat deck, where the cover panel has loop channel. A ratchet loop is disposed in the loop channel and is attachable at ends of the ratchet loop to respective boat cleats. A ratchet system cooperable with the ratchet loop is disposed between the boat cleats. The ratchet loop attaches to the boat cleat and requires no fastener.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A playpen cover for a pontoon boat, comprising:
 a cover panel sized to cover a pontoon boat deck, the cover panel having a port side and a starboard side and including loop channel; 
 a ratchet loop disposed in the loop channel, wherein the ratchet loop is attachable at ends of the ratchet loop to respective boat cleats; and 
 a ratchet system cooperable with the ratchet loop and disposed between the boat cleats, wherein at least one of the port side and the starboard side of the cover panel is scalloped such that the loop channel is upwardly curved along at least a middle portion between the boat cleats. 
 
     
     
       2. A playpen cover for a pontoon boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the loop channel comprises a sewn hem in the cover panel. 
     
     
       3. A playpen cover for a pontoon boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratchet system comprises a first ratchet cooperable with the ratchet loop and disposed adjacent one side of the cover panel and a second ratchet cooperable with the ratchet loop and disposed adjacent an opposite side of the cover panel. 
     
     
       4. A playpen cover for a pontoon boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratchet system comprises a ratchet cooperable with the ratchet loop and disposed adjacent a side of the cover panel. 
     
     
       5. A playpen cover for a pontoon boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratchet loop is attachable to the respective boat cleats without a fastener. 
     
     
       6. A playpen cover for a pontoon boat according to  claim 5 , wherein the ratchet loop is attachable to the respective boat cleats by wrapping the ends of the ratchet loop around the respective boat cleats. 
     
     
       7. A quick-install boat cover comprising:
 a cover panel sized to cover a boat deck, the cover panel having a port side and a starboard side and including loop channel; 
 a ratchet loop disposed in the loop channel, wherein the ratchet loop is attachable at ends of the ratchet loop to respective boat cleats without a fastener; and 
 a ratchet system cooperable with the ratchet loop and disposed between the boat cleats, the ratchet system including at least one ratchet that draws and releases tension on the ratchet loop, wherein at least one of the port side and the starboard side of the cover panel is scalloped such that the loop channel is upwardly curved along at least a middle portion between the boat cleats. 
 
     
     
       8. A quick-install boat cover according to  claim 7 , wherein the loop channel comprises a sewn hem in the cover panel. 
     
     
       9. A quick-install boat cover according to  claim 7 , wherein the ratchet system comprises two ratchets that draw and release tension on the ratchet loop including a first ratchet cooperable with the ratchet loop and disposed adjacent one side of the cover panel and a second ratchet cooperable with the ratchet loop and disposed adjacent an opposite side of the cover panel. 
     
     
       10. A playpen cover for a pontoon boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover panel further comprises a u-shaped zipper opening in a front portion thereof. 
     
     
       11. A quick-install boat cover according to  claim 7 , wherein the cover panel further comprises a u-shaped zipper opening in a front portion thereof. 
     
     
       12. A playpen cover for a pontoon boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the scalloped side of the cover panel is without fasteners. 
     
     
       13. A quick-install boat cover according to  claim 7 , wherein the scalloped side of the cover panel is without fasteners.